How to pray
How to pray
The movements of the prayer, and the full course of each of the five, according to the Maliki school.
This guide summarises and does not replace teaching from a qualified person. The details of prayer differ between schools of law; what follows is the Maliki school, followed across the Maghreb.
On video
La prière expliquée aux petits et débutants
Pr. Rachid Eljay chaine officielle 1
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Number of units
Tap a prayer to follow it from the takbir to the salam.
Step 1 of 10
The intention
النيّةFace the qibla and form within yourself the intention for the prayer being performed. The intention is an act of the heart.
Specific to the Maliki school
It is not said aloud: voicing it is not part of the transmitted practice.
Step 2 of 10
The opening takbir
تكبيرة الإحرامRaise the hands to shoulder level and pronounce the takbir. From this moment you are in the state of prayer: ordinary speech and movement cease.
What is recited
اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ
Allāhu akbar
Allah is the greatest
Step 3 of 10
The standing
القيامStanding, eyes toward the place of prostration, recite al-Fatiha, then a surah or some verses in the first two units.
Specific to the Maliki school
The arms hang at the sides (sadl) in the obligatory prayer, and the basmala is not recited before al-Fatiha.
Step 4 of 10
The bowing
الركوعBow while saying the takbir, back and neck level, hands on the knees, until the limbs are at rest.
What is recited
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Subḥāna rabbiya al-'aẓīm
Glory to my Lord, the Magnificent
Step 5 of 10
Rising from bowing
الاعتدالRise fully and remain upright a moment before prostrating.
What is recited
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ، رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ
Sami'a Allāhu liman ḥamidah — Rabbanā wa laka al-ḥamd
Allah hears the one who praises Him — Our Lord, to You belongs all praise
Step 6 of 10
The prostration
السجودProstrate while saying the takbir, on seven points: the forehead with the nose, both hands, both knees, and the tips of both feet.
What is recited
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى
Subḥāna rabbiya al-a'lā
Glory to my Lord, the Most High
Step 7 of 10
Sitting between the two prostrations
الجلسة بين السجدتينRise from prostration saying the takbir and sit calmly before prostrating a second time.
What is recited
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي
Rabbi ighfir lī
My Lord, forgive me
Step 8 of 10
The tashahhud
التشهّدAfter the second unit, and at the end of the prayer, sit for the tashahhud, the right index finger pointing forward.
What is recited
التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ، الزَّاكِيَاتُ لِلَّهِ، الطَّيِّبَاتُ الصَّلَوَاتُ لِلَّهِ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
At-taḥiyyātu lillāh, az-zākiyātu lillāh, aṭ-ṭayyibātu aṣ-ṣalawātu lillāh, as-salāmu 'alayka ayyuhā an-nabiyyu wa raḥmatu Allāhi wa barakātuh, as-salāmu 'alaynā wa 'alā 'ibādi Allāhi aṣ-ṣāliḥīn, ash-hadu an lā ilāha illā Allāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muḥammadan 'abduhu wa rasūluh
Greetings belong to Allah, pure words belong to Allah, good deeds and prayers belong to Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.
Specific to the Maliki school
This is the tashahhud transmitted from Umar ibn al-Khattab, adopted by the Maliki school.
Step 9 of 10
Invoking blessings on the Prophet
الصلاة على النبيIn the final sitting, after the tashahhud, blessings are invoked on the Prophet before the salam.
What is recited
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Allāhumma ṣalli 'alā Muḥammadin wa 'alā āli Muḥammad, kamā ṣallayta 'alā Ibrāhīma wa 'alā āli Ibrāhīm, innaka ḥamīdun majīd
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Abraham and the family of Abraham. You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.
Step 10 of 10
The closing salam
السلامTurn the face to the right with the greeting: the prayer is complete.
What is recited
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ
As-salāmu 'alaykum
Peace be upon you
Specific to the Maliki school
One praying alone gives a single salam, to the right.
The steps marked “in every unit” repeat as many times as the prayer has units: two at fajr, three at maghrib, four for the others. The opening and the closing happen only once.